chormann



E. G. CHORMANN.

Stereoscopic Instrument. No. 38,197. Patented April 14. 1863 W;

UNITED STATES FPATENT OFFICE.

HIMSELF AND THOMAS COGHRANE, ASSIGNORS TO ERNEST Gr. CHOR- MANN, OF SAME PLACE.

S'l'EREOSCOPlC INSTRU MENT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,197, dated April 14, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1,ERNEST G.CHORMANN, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Stereoscopic Instrument and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists of the peculiar construction and arrangement, fully described hereinafter, of parts composing a stereoscopic instrument, the said parts being so adjustable and so arranged for expansion as to form a complete instrument for viewing stereoscopic pictures, and yet admitting of being contracted or folded into a very small compass when not required for use.

In order to enable others skilled in the construction of this class of instruments to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe the manner of constructing and using the same.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved stereoscopic instrument as it appears when extended; Fig. 2, a plan view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a sectional view of the instrument as it appears when closed, and Fig. 4 an end view of Fig. 3.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A is a light box or case, of metal or other suitable material, at the rear or closed end of which is secured a spring, a, for confining the stereoscopic picture D to the said box or case.

The front end of the latter is open for the reception of the frame B, which is made of wire, bent to the form represented in Figs. 1 and 3, the two legs d and d of this frame being made elastic, so as to bear with their ends against the inside of the case A, the latter being so formed as to present two grooves (see Fig. 4)-one for the reception of one leg and the other for the reception of the other leg of the frame B. To the outer end of the latter are hinged the two arms E and E, each of which is furnished with a suitable ring, 6, carrying an appropriate lens.

On the end of each of the legs d and d! a notch is cut, so as to form a projection, y, and this projection, when the frame is drawn out to its full extent from the box, takes its place (owing to the elasticity of the legs) in an opening cut through the box.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the instrument is arranged for viewing the picture, the case A being held between the finger and the thumb in such a manner as not to obstruct the view,

while the outer end of the frame B is pressed lightly against the nose in such a position that the eyes shall be directly opposite to the lenses. If the distance between the lenses and the picture should be too great in the first instance, the elastic legs d and d of the frame B are pressed lightly toward each other, so that their projections may escape from the openin gs,before alluded to as being cut through the case, after which the frame may be pushed far enough into the case to obtain the desired focus. Whatever may be the position to which the frame has been adjusted, the elasticity of the legs and their consequent pressure against the case will suffice to maintain the frame in the desired position longitudinally, while the grooves formed in the case and adapted to receive the legs will maintain the frame and case in their proper relative position laterally. The arms E and E being so hung to the frame as to be readily moved thereon, the lenses can be adjusted to any angle which may be found most convenient for obtaining the desired view of the picture.

When the instrument is not required for further use, the picture is removed, the arms E and E, with their rings 0 e and lenses, are folded together, and the frame, with its appendages, is pushed into the case, so that the several parts shall occupy the relative position illustrated in Fig. 3, the whole being condensed into'a compact form of such limited dimensions as to be contained in the vestpocket \TltllOlll] inconvenience to the wearer.

The case A may be made of metal, plated or otherwise ornamented in accordance with the taste of the manufacturer, or, when a cheap instrument is desired, common tinplate may be used, or even stiff paper or pasteboard.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure Icy-Letters Patent- The frame B, with its elastic legs 01 and dor their equivalents, and arms E and E, carrying appropriate lenses, in combination with a case, A, of any suitable material, the Whole being constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witn esses.

E. G. OHORMANN.

Witnesses:

HENRY Howson, JOHN WHITE. 

